(February 2, 2018 – Salt Lake City) –Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE), Torrey House Press (THP) and the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club invited members of the media and the public to“Air…Our Voice”– a press conference featuring the launch ofUPHE’s 2017 Air Pollution and Health Research Reportand a public reading by authors of chapters fromBreathing Stories: Utah Voices for Clean Air by Torrey House Press.Personal stories and scientific research are compelling testaments to the serious health consequences of air pollution, even at levels below federal standards. Citizens, health professionals and scientists are coming together to voice their concern and share through stories how Utah’s air quality affects their families and lives at a very personal level.

“Our legislators know that folks are concerned about air quality and suffering health effects, but as citizens, we’re frustrated that our leaders haven’t managed to reach across their political divides to create policy that would protect the air we breathe,” said Kirsten Johanna Allen, Publisher & Editorial Director of Torrey House Press. “The contributors to Breathing Stories: Utah Voices for Clean Air bring personal story to the conversation, and I hope legislators will be moved by their beautiful, powerful words.”

Dr. Brian Moench, UPHE Founder and Board Director and the participating physicians bring the scientific perspective to complement the personal stories. According to Dr. Moench, “The medical research from 2017 added over 100 new studies to what is now several thousand published papers, establishing the science on just how serious the health hazard of air pollution is to Utah communities. Our patients need and deserve clean air. We hope that combining the science with these compelling personal stories will prompt real action, and real solutions by our lawmakers.”

“We know that there are communities who are exposed to higher levels of pollution and who may not have the adequate medical or financial support to protect their families from the harmful micro-environment that they are in,” said UPHE Executive Director, Denni Cawley. “There are solutions, but it needs the combined effort of the community with strong political will from our leaders. As we grow Utah, let’s not leave others behind.”